PNP orders investigation on Binangonan police station

January 21, 2021

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday ordered an investigation into alleged irregularities at the Binangonan Municipal Police Station following the arrest of two civilian assets for alleged extortion.

General Debold Sinas said in an operation conducted by the Integrity Monitoring and Enforcement Group (IMEG) last January 19, these police station assets were arrested after they reportedly extorted money from a certain Stephen Kellu in exchange for the release of an impounded motor vehicle.

Sinas also placed Lt. Col Ferdinand Ancheta, Binangonan chief of police, under investigation for command responsibility.

During the entrapment, IMEG operatives also found a police officer, who was supposed to be in jail after facing non-bailable charges for infidelity in the custody of prisoners, serving as lookout during the  pay off using two mobile phones for communication.

“I will not let this incident pass without implementing appropriate criminal and administrative action against those involved,” Sinas said.

The complainant also identified six other members of Binangonan Police Station as involved in the alleged extortion. They are Senior Master Sergeant Randy Andanar, Staff Sergeant Joel Acosta, Staff Sergeant Joe Sevillena, Corporal Allan Alvarez, Corporal Marson Tayaban, and Corporal Lew Armenis.

Col. Thomas Frias Jr, IMEG director, said the vehicle was not included in the inventory of confiscated items during a buy bust operation launched by the Binangonan police station last November 28, 2020.

“It was learned that the Binangonan operatives took custody of the vehicle and demanded P40, 000  and later reduced it to P20, 000 for its release,” Frias said.

Frias added Sevillena and Armesis are two of the arresting officers during the anti-drug operation.

All the involved cops were placed under monitoring and investigation by IMEG. Ella Dionisio/ DMS